Shower rod assembly and related method

ABSTRACT

A shower rod assembly includes an arcuate rod having a first end and an opposing second end. A first mounting bracket is engageable with the first end and a second mounting bracket is coupleable with the second end. An end connector has a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is engageable with the second mounting bracket and the first portion is insertable into the second end of the arcuate rod. An extent of insertion of the first portion of the end connector into the arcuate rod is adjustable, for adjusting a length of the shower rod assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a shower rod assembly, and more particularly to a shower rod assembly capable of length adjustment to account for deviations from an intended width of a shower stall or bathtub enclosure.

Conventional shower stall or bathtub enclosures consist of walls on three sides of the stall/bathtub, two opposing side walls and one rear wall, but the fourth side of the bathtub is open to permit entry to and egress from the bathtub. When using the shower stall or bathtub enclosure to take a shower, water spray is contained within the bathtub enclosure on three sides by the walls, but water spray can spill into the bathroom by way of the fourth side of the bathtub where there is no wall. Thus, shower curtains suspended from a shower rod assembly attached to the two opposing side walls to enclose the previously open fourth side of the stall/enclosure have long been used. Consumers generally purchase either fixed length shower rod assemblies, designed to fit in a shower stall or bathtub enclosure of a specific width, or adjustable length shower rod assemblies, adjustable to fit in various shower stalls or bathtub enclosures having different widths.

Shower stalls and bathtub enclosures, however, are sold by many different manufacturers and installed by many different workers in many different room configurations. Accordingly, variations in the manufacturing or installation processes of shower stalls or bathtub enclosures often result in minor deviations in the widths of different installed stalls/enclosures from the intended width. Therefore, one drawback of conventional fixed length shower rod assemblies designed to fit in shower stalls and bathtub enclosures of a certain width, is that the minor deviations in the actual width of the installed shower stalls and bathtub enclosures from the intended width may interfere with the fitment of the shower rod assemblies.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to manufacture fixed length shower rod assemblies capable of minor length adjustments to account for deviations in the actual width of the installed shower stalls and bathtub enclosures from the intended width of the shower stall or bathtub enclosure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, one aspect of the present invention is directed to a shower rod assembly. The shower rod assembly comprises an arcuate rod having a first end and an opposing second end. A first mounting bracket is engageable with the first end and a second mounting bracket is coupleable with the second end. An end connector has a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is engageable with the second mounting bracket and the first portion is insertable into the second end of the arcuate rod. An extent of insertion of the first portion of the end connector into the arcuate rod is adjustable, for adjusting a length of the shower rod assembly.

Another aspect of the invention is directed a shower rod assembly. The shower rod assembly comprises an arcuate rod having a first end and an opposing second end. A first mounting bracket is engageable with the first end and a second mounting bracket is coupleable with the second end. An end connector has a first, fluted portion and a second, generally hollow portion including a pair of diametrically opposed apertures. The second portion is securable to the second mounting bracket via a connecting member extending through the pair of diametrically opposed apertures and the first, fluted portion is insertable and securable into the second end of the arcuate rod via an interference fit. An extent of insertion of the first portion of the end connector into the arcuate rod is adjustable, for adjusting a length of the shower rod assembly.

Yet another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of installing a shower rod assembly. The method comprises the steps of (I) attaching first and second mounting bracket assemblies to opposing vertical surfaces of a wall in a shower or bathtub stall; (II) securing a first end of an arcuate shower rod to the first bracket assembly; (III) inserting a first portion of an end connector into a second end of the arcuate shower rod; (IV) adjusting an extent of insertion of the first portion of the end connector into the second end of the arcuate shower rod according to a distance between the first and second bracket assemblies, thereby adjusting a length of the shower rod assembly, and (V) securing a second portion of the end connector with the second mounting bracket, thereby securing the second end of the arcuate shower rod to the second mounting bracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment of an adjustable curved shower rod assembly which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an adjustable curved shower rod assembly installed in a bathtub enclosure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded, top perspective view of the adjustable curved shower rod assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded fragmentary view of a portion of the adjustable curved shower rod assembly of FIG. 1, taken from insert ellipse 3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top perspective view the portion of the adjustable curved rod assembly of FIG. 3, taken along the sectional line 3-3 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “upwardly” and “downwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the shower rod assembly, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

It should also be understood that the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially” and like terms, used herein when referring to a dimension or characteristic of a component of the invention, indicate that the described dimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude minor variations therefrom that are functionally similar. At a minimum, such references that include a numerical parameter would include variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4 a shower rod assembly, generally designated 10, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The shower rod assembly 10 is mountable between opposing side walls 52, 54 in a shower stall or bathtub enclosure 50 (FIG. 1). As shown best in FIG. 2, the assembly 10 comprises a shower rod 12, having a first end 12 a and an opposing second end 12 b. The first end 12 a of the shower rod 12 is engageable with a first mounting bracket 14 via a thru hole 12 c proximate the first end 12 a of the shower rod 12, as described in detail further below. The second end 12 b is coupleable with a second mounting bracket 16, as also described in further detail below. The mounting brackets 14, 16 are attachable to the side walls 52, 54, respectively, in the shower stall or bathtub enclosure 50.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shower rod 12 is an arcuate, i.e., curved, shower rod. However, as should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the scope of the invention is not limited to an arcuate shower rod 12, but rather encompasses any of numerous different shower rod shapes, such as, for example, a substantially linear, i.e., straight, shower rod 12. As also should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the components of the shower rod assembly 10 may be constructed of one or more of a metallic material, a polymeric material or a combination thereof.

As shown best in FIG. 3, the shower rod assembly 10 further comprises an end connector 18, having a first portion 18 a and a second portion 18 b. The first portion 18 a of the end connector 18 is a fluted portion, and the second portion 18 b of the end connector 18 is a generally hollow cylindrical portion. Alternatively, however, the second portion 18 b may have a different geometrical shape, e.g., ovular, and may also be partially or substantially solid. The first, fluted portion 18 a of the end connector 18 is slidably insertable into the second end 12 b of the shower rod 12, e.g., via an interference fit, and the second portion 18 b of the end connector 18 includes a pair of diametrically opposed apertures 18 c for engagement with the second mounting bracket 16 (FIG. 4), as described in further detail below. The extent of insertion of the first, fluted portion 18 a of the end connector 18 into the second end 12 b of the shower rod 12 is adjustable to adjust the overall length L (FIG. 2) of the shower rod assembly 10, as also described in further detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the length L of the shower rod assembly 10 is adjustable in the range of about two inches according to the extent of insertion of the first portion 18 a of the end connector 18 into the second end 12 b of the shower rod 12, to account for deviation in the actual width of an installed shower stall/bathtub enclosure 50 from the intended width of the shower stall/bathtub enclosure. However, the range of adjustability may be increased by increasing the length of the first flute portion 18 a of the end connector 18.

The first and second mounting brackets 14, 16 are identical mirror images of one another. Since all of the features of the mounting brackets 14, 16 are the same, these features will be described once, and only the second mounting bracket 16 is shown in detail in FIG. 3, for the sake of brevity. As shown in FIG. 3, each mounting bracket 14, 16 includes a mounting plate 20 for facing engagement with a respective wall 52, 54 in the shower stall or bathtub enclosure 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting plate 20 includes first and second mounting holes 20 a, 20 b, located adjacent the upper and lower ends of the mounting plate 20, respectively, for receiving fasteners 60, e.g., fastening screws, therethrough to secure the mounting brackets 14, 16 to the respective opposing walls 52, 54. As should be understood, however, each mounting bracket 14, 16 may include more than two mounting holes, or alternatively may be secured to the walls 52, 54 via any of numerous different means or methods known by those of ordinary skill in the art, such as, for example, without limitation, via an adhesive securement.

As shown, each mounting bracket 14, 16 further includes a first member 22, projecting generally perpendicularly from the mounting plate 20, having a first aperture 22 a, and a second, generally parallel member 24, axially spaced from the first member 22 and projecting generally perpendicularly from the mounting plate 20, having a second aperture 24 a. The apertures 22 a and 24 a are axially aligned along vertical axis A, which extends generally perpendicularly to the shower rod 12 when mounted to the brackets 14, 16. Each mounting bracket 14, 16 also includes a side member 26, projecting generally perpendicularly from the mounting plate 20, and extending between the first and second members 22, 24. The first, second and side members 22, 24, 26 of the mounting brackets 14, 16 define a receiving space 28, for receiving either the first end 12 a of the shower rod 12 or the second portion 18 b of the end connector 18, as described in further detail below.

To install the shower rod assembly 10 in a shower or bathtub enclosure 50, the first mounting bracket 14 is mounted to the first wall 52 (FIG. 1) and the second mounting bracket 16 is mounted to the opposing second wall 54 (FIG. 1), via the fasteners 60. In the mounted configuration, the mounting plates 20 are positioned in facing engagement with the first and second walls 52, 54 and are preferably mounted at generally the same height such that the shower rod 12 will be generally horizontal in the mounted configuration.

The first end 12 a of the arcuate rod 12 is thereafter positioned within the receiving space 28 of the first mounting bracket 14, such that the thru hole 12 c proximate the first end 12 a of the shower rod 12 is axially aligned with the first and second apertures 22 a, 24 a of the first mounting bracket 14 and a connecting member 64, e.g., a fastener, a mounting screw and/or a lug pin, is routed through the first aperture 22 a, the thru hole 12 c and the second aperture 24 a to pivotably connect the first end 12 a of the rod 12 with the first mounting bracket 14.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first, fluted portion 18 a of the end connector 18 is then slidably inserted into the second end 12 b of the shower rod 12. The fluted portion 18 a of the end connector 18 and the second end 12 b of the shower rod 12 define a dimensional interference fit, and therefore, as should be understood, the fluted portion 18 a is slid into the second end 12 b with a force overcoming the compression force of the interference fit. After initial assembly of the end connector 18 into the second end 12 b of the shower rod 12, the shower rod 12 is then pivoted toward the second mounting bracket 16 and the extent of insertion of the end connector 18 into the second end 12 b of the shower rod 12 is manually adjusted until the second portion 18 b of the end connector 18 is received within the receiving space 28 of the second mounting bracket 16, and the apertures 18 c of the second portion 18 b are axially aligned with the first and second apertures 22 a, 24 a of the second mounting bracket 16. The extent of insertion of the end connector 18 into the second end 12 b of the shower rod 12 is adjustable in the range of about one inch to about two inches. Thus the length of the overall shower rod assembly 10 is adjusted to account for deviation in the actual width of the shower stall/bathtub enclosure 50 from the intended width of the shower stall/bathtub enclosure.

A connecting member 64, e.g., a fastener, a mounting screw and/or a lug pin, is routed through the first aperture 22 a, the apertures 18 c and the second aperture 24 a to couple the second end 12 b of the rod 12 with the second mounting bracket 16. In some embodiments, the first and/or second members 20, 24 of the first and/or second mounting brackets 14, 16 may further include set screw holes (not shown), and a set screw is advanced through a respective set screw hole and into engagement with the shower rod 12 to further secure the rod 12 in place. Shower curtain hooks (not shown) and a shower curtain (not shown) are thereafter mounted to shower rod 12, in a manner well known in the art, to enclose shower stall or bathtub enclosure and prevent water spray from splashing out.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A shower rod assembly comprising: an arcuate rod having a first end and an opposing second end; a first mounting bracket engageable with the first end and a second mounting bracket coupleable with the second end; and an end connector having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being engageable with the second mounting bracket and the first portion being insertable into the second end of the arcuate rod, wherein an extent of insertion of the first portion of the end connector into the arcuate rod is adjustable, for adjusting a length of the shower rod assembly.
 2. The shower rod assembly of claim 1, wherein the length of the shower rod assembly is adjustable in the range of about two inches according to the extent of insertion of the first portion of the end connector into the arcuate rod.
 3. The shower rod assembly of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the end connector is generally hollow and includes a pair of diametrically opposed apertures for securing of the end connector to the second mounting bracket.
 4. The shower rod assembly of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the end connector is a fluted portion.
 5. The shower rod assembly of claim 4, wherein the fluted portion is securable into the second end of the arcuate rod via an interference fit.
 6. The shower rod assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the arcuate rod includes a thru hole for securing of the arcuate rod to the first mounting bracket.
 7. A shower rod assembly comprising: an arcuate rod having a first end and an opposing second end; a first mounting bracket engageable with the first end and a second mounting bracket coupleable with the second end; and an end connector having a first, fluted portion and a second, generally hollow portion including a pair of diametrically opposed apertures, the second portion being securable to the second mounting bracket via a connecting member extending through the pair of diametrically opposed apertures and the first, fluted portion being insertable and securable into the second end of the arcuate rod via an interference fit, wherein an extent of insertion of the first portion of the end connector into the arcuate rod is adjustable, for adjusting a length of the shower rod assembly.
 8. The shower rod assembly of claim 7, wherein the length of the shower rod assembly is adjustable in the range of about two inches according to the extent of insertion of the first portion of the end connector into the arcuate rod.
 9. A method of installing a shower rod assembly comprising: attaching first and second mounting bracket assemblies to opposing vertical surfaces of a wall in a shower or bathtub stall; securing a first end of an arcuate shower rod to the first bracket assembly; inserting a first portion of an end connector into a second end of the arcuate shower rod; adjusting an extent of insertion of the first portion of the end connector into the second end of the arcuate shower rod according to a distance between the first and second bracket assemblies, thereby adjusting a length of the shower rod assembly, and securing a second portion of the end connector with the second mounting bracket, thereby securing the second end of the arcuate shower rod to the second mounting bracket.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the length of the assembly is adjustable in the range of about two inches.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first portion of the end connector is a fluted portion, and wherein the inserting step comprises securing the first portion of the end connector into the second end of the arcuate shower rod via an interference fit. 